That formotion description is an improvement. The first one may have been translated from german without much thought..maybe one of those online translators :b
When kicksology was still alive and well, the one thing I hoped Prof K would do to improve his reviews, is devise a blind testing period... meaning he wouldnt know what shoes he was wearing. That way his opinion of the shoe would be taken purely from his experience wearing/balling in them. He's really the only reviewer who would have a chance at pulling it off. Oh well.
Some other terms that would be useful to have. I found this on a running site:
Blown rubber is a type of outsole common to many running shoes. Blown rubber is a rubber compound which is either expanded or mixed with air in the production process to produce a relatively light, cushier outsolealthough its less durable than carbon rubber. Many outsoles use a combination of blown rubber in the midfoot and forefoot (for a cushy ride) with carbon rubber in the rearfoot for added durability.
Carbon rubber is the other most common outsole. It is a solid rubber with carbon added to increase the durability of the outsole. A carbon rubber outsole is firmer and heavier than blown rubber, but more durable.
Cushioned (or neutral) shoes are the type of shoes with maximum midsole cushioning but without any added medial or rearfoot stability devices. Cushioned or neutral shoes (the terms are synonymous) are preferred by runners who dont have abnormal rearfoot motion (overpronation).
EVA is the acronym for ethylene vinyl acetate which is the most common commercially manufactured midsole foam used in running shoes. It is most often referred to as CMEVA or compression-molded EVA.
Flex grooves are an important feature. They are notches (or grooves) sliced into the outsole in the forefoot for better flexibility at toe-off. Almost all high-quality running shoes use flex grooves that allow the foot to roll more naturally at toe-off.
Heel counter is a plastic cup built within the upper which cups the heel to reduce excessive rearfoot motion. The heel should fit snugly without being too tight. If its too wide, the heel will slip in and out of the shoe and cause blisters. Women in particular often have narrower heels than men and require a narrow heel, common in some brands such as Saucony.
Heel heights are the height at which the foot sits on top of the midsole and outsole. Heel heights vary from shoe to shoe and brand to brand but generally, a bigger, slower runner (especially a heel striker) wants more midsole foam for better cushioning which means a greater (or higher) heel height. Faster, efficient runners tend to strike more in the midfoot or even forefoot and usually prefer a lower heel height. A lower heel height promotes stability, but a higher heel height adds cushioning and takes some of the strain off the Achilles and calf muscles. Training shoes have the highest heel heights; racing shoes the lowest.
Last is a term you might hear in the shoe store and it is very confusing because it can refer to two entirely different things. The most important reference is to the shape of the shoe. A last is a shaped piece of wood or metal on which the shoe is actually built. Different shoes use different lasts (especially different brands) which is why shoes fit differently. Basically, there are three shapes: straight, semi-curved and curved. Semi-curved isby farthe most popular and most runners do well in a semi-curved lasted shoe. A straight-lasted shoe offers the most medial support but there are only a handful of shoes built on a straight last. A curved lasted shoe is rare for a training shoe, but most racing shoes are built on a curved last which is indicative of a highly responsive, fast shoe.
Last can also refer to how a shoe is lasted or how the upper is attached (sewn actually) to the midsole. There are three ways: combination-lasted, slip-lasted or board-lasted. A slip-lasted shoe is entirely stitched; a combination-lasted shoe is stitched in the forefoot and glued in the rearfoot with a fiberboard and a board-lasted shoe has a fiberboard glued on top of the midsole. Slip-lasting is the most common, although some brandsnotably Asicscombination-last many of their shoes. Some runners believe a combination-lasted shoe is the most stable and most supportive for orthotics but it is really personal preference. (Board-lasted shoes have gone the way of the dinosaur.) To determine which type of lasting the shoe has, remove the insole. If theres stitching in the rearfoot, its slip-lasted. If theres a fiberboard (a cardboard-like material) on top of the midsole and stitching in the forefoot, its combination-lasted. When in doubt, ask.
Lateral is in reference to the outer edge of a shoe or the side of the shoe opposite the arch.
Medial side is the opposite of the lateral side. Its the arch side (or inner) of the shoe. The medial side is the side of the shoe where most of the motion-control or stability devices are located.
Midsole post is also known as a medial post or two-density midsole. It refers to a firmer density of midsole material on the medial side which reduces overpronation. Almost all brands use a midsole post in at least some of their trainers.
Midsole is the light colored foam your foot rests upon which cushions the foot. The midsole is the most important part of the shoe because of its cushioning responsibilities. Midsoles are usually made of either EVA or polyurethane foam or a combination of the two. Midsoles are also the part of the shoe where the manufacturers use their proprietary cushioning or support technology such as Asics Gel, Adidas adiPRENE, Brooks HydroFlow, Nike Air, New Balance AbZORB, Mizuno Wave, Saucony GRID or Reebok DMX.
Motion-control is a type of shoe which is designed to reduce excessive inward foot motionoverpronation. Motion-control shoes are usually the most expensive, heaviest and protective shoes because they employ the most control and stability features.
Overpronators and many big, heavy runners do best in motion-control shoes.
Outsole is the black material on the bottom of the shoe which contacts the ground.
Post is an interchangeable term with a two-density midsole or midsole post.
Polyurethane is the second most common midsole material to EVA. Polyurethane is a heavier, denser material that is more resistant to compression set than EVA and more durable. But it is firmer. Few shoes are made with full polyurethane midsoles anymore, but some shoes have polyurethane inserts in the midsole for added durability.
Racing shoes are the lightest, most flexible type of running shoe. Some racing shoes are half the weight of typical training shoes, but offer much less in terms of cushioning, protection and durability. Generally, only runners racing at a 7-minute pace or faster and who are biomechanically efficient in their gait (i.e., they dont overpronate) should consider racing shoes.
Stability shoes are the most common type of training shoes. Stability shoes usually have a two-density midsole and a stable base of support to reduce overpronation. Some of the most popular (and best) shoes on the market are stability shoes.
Two-density midsole means the same as a midsole post or simply, a post. Its a second, firmer density of midsole material on the medial side which reduces overpronation. The second, firmer density is usually a darker material on the medial side just above the arch area.
